A new menopause drug has been approved for NHS use in Scotland, offering a non-hormonal option for women who cannot take HRT.

The Scottish Medicines Consortium has recommended that women can now be prescribed fezolinetant, also known as Veoza, for symptoms such as hot flushes and night sweats.

Some women cannot take HRT, leaving them with limited treatment options for symptoms that can be severe and long-lasting.

Dr Timir Patel, medical director of Astellas UK, said the company was “pleased that this important additional treatment option will be available to women in Scotland, helping to support more personalised care for those experiencing hot flushes and night sweats”.

Fezolinetant works by selectively blocking a neurotransmitter in the brain involved in triggering hot flushes.

Clinical trials have shown the drug can reduce both the frequency and severity of hot flushes and night sweats.

About 400,000 women in Scotland are said to be of menopausal age, with manufacturer Astellas Pharma Ltd saying up to 48,000 could benefit from the treatment.

Dr Rob Peel, chair of the Scottish Medicines Consortium, said: “We know that menopausal hot flushes and night sweats can substantially affect quality of life.

“For those who cannot take HRT, effective treatment options are limited. Fezolinetant provides a non-hormonal treatment option, and we know our decision will be welcomed.”

Dr Kay McAllister, consultant gynaecologist and clinical lead for menopause services at NHS Glasgow and Greater Clyde, said: “Today’s decision marks a positive development for the wellbeing of Scottish women.

“In clinical practice, I see how hot flushes and night sweats impact sleep and overall quality of life in my patients.

“The availability of this targeted treatment offers a welcome choice and further options for patients.”

Avni Wellness has secured Rs 4 crore, around US$470,000, in seed funding to expand its products and digital commerce capabilities.

The Mumbai-based women’s health start-up plans to strengthen its online retail operations and increase its presence across digital marketplaces.

It will also expand its cycle nutrition product range and grow its women-led network of micro-entrepreneurs.

Founded in 2021 by Sujata Pawar and Apurv Agarwal, Avni Wellness offers science-backed, toxin-free products spanning adolescence, reproductive years and menopause.

Its portfolio includes a patented antimicrobial reusable sanitary pad and a liposomal iron supplement designed to address iron deficiency among women in India.

Liposomal supplements encase nutrients in tiny fat-like particles intended to support absorption.

The company also offers products for polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, calcium supplementation, urinary and vaginal health and seed-based hormonal nutrition. PCOS is a condition that can affect hormone levels, periods and fertility.

Proteus Partners led the funding round, with participation from angel investors Puru Gupta, Sreejith Moolayil, A. Velumani and Somya Nigam.

Avni Wellness said it aims to address gaps in women’s healthcare in India by focusing on hormonal health, nutrition and long-term wellbeing while incorporating livelihood generation and sustainability into its model.

Only 31 per cent of US voters believe healthcare does a good job of meeting women’s needs, according to a national survey.

The survey found broad agreement that women have distinct health needs requiring specific attention, but that care falls short at several stages of life.

Impact Research and Echelon Insights conducted the survey for Center Forward among 1,206 registered voters in the likely electorate across the US.

Tara Evans, marketing director for Plan B One-Step, said: “These findings should serve as a wake-up call for the health care industry and for policymakers.

“Women are telling us loudly and clearly that the system is not working for them. From reproductive health to menopause care to postpartum support, the gaps are real, they are significant, and voters want action.”

Only 31 per cent of respondents said the healthcare system did a good or very good job of meeting women’s health needs.

This compared with 41 per cent who said it performed well in meeting men’s health needs.

Half of the women surveyed said the system did not pay enough attention to their health issues.

Some 41 per cent rated the system as poor or very poor at meeting women’s needs immediately before, during and after menopause.

A further 38 per cent gave the same rating for care following pregnancy and during the postpartum period.

The figure was 35 per cent for care provided while women were seeking to prevent pregnancy.

Overall, 92 per cent agreed that women have distinct health needs deserving specific attention, including 89 per cent of Republicans and 95 per cent of Democrats.

Access to screening for cancers affecting women was considered very important for policymakers to address by 81 per cent of respondents.

Prenatal care was prioritised by 78 per cent, while 77 per cent highlighted both gynaecological care and cardiovascular services.

Postpartum care was considered very important by 72 per cent, while 68 per cent said the same about diabetes and weight management services.

Some 46 per cent of voters said the healthcare system did a poor or very poor job of meeting the needs of rural patients.

Rural women were six percentage points more likely than voters overall to report difficulty accessing quality care.

The findings also showed that gaps in care were not evenly distributed.

Women who described their health as fair or poor were 15 percentage points more likely than those in excellent or very good health to say the system paid too little attention to their needs.

People earning less than US$50,000 a year were among those most likely to feel overlooked.

Among voters earning between US$30,000 and US$49,000 annually, 61 per cent said the system did not pay enough attention to their health issues.

Evans said: “The picture this data paints is one of a system that works better for some Americans than others, and women, particularly those with lower incomes or in rural communities, are bearing the greatest burden of that failure.

“Plan B is committed to being part of the solution by ensuring that at the very minimum, women have access to emergency contraception when they need it.”

Plan B One-Step is an over-the-counter emergency contraceptive available in all 50 US states without identification or a prescription.

The company says it donates up to 500,000 units each year to clinics, non-profit organisations, advocacy groups and other qualifying organisations supporting medically underserved communities.

The survey was conducted from 12 to 16 January 2026 and had a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.2 percentage points.

Plan B One-Step is a backup form of birth control intended to help prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or when another contraceptive method fails.

It is not an abortion pill and does not affect implantation or harm an existing pregnancy.

Emergency contraception such as Plan B is used within 72 hours of unprotected sex and works better the sooner it is taken.

The findings form part of the 2026 Women’s Health Mandate, a five-part bipartisan series examining women’s healthcare in the US.